TNT Keeps ‘The Last Ship’ Sailing Through Season 5

Paul V. Rea
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The TNT network just renewed post-apocalyptic military drama The Last Ship for a fourth season a month ago. But strong ratings for its current outing and high potential in the streaming and syndication aftermarket have the network suits pushing for more. They now plan to keep the show afloat for at least two more years.

TNT added a 10-episode Season 5 to their renewal order this week. That brings the series total to 56 episodes. “The Last Ship has taken viewers on an exciting ride through three truly thrilling seasons,” network programming VP Sarah Aubrey wrote. “We look forward to watching the cast and production team ratchet up the drama, action and suspense even more over the next two seasons through summer 2018.” TNT also produces the show.  That means filming the 20 new episodes together will also save money.

The Last Ship Audience Keeps Growing

Based on the 1988 novel by William Brinkley, The Last Ship follows the crew of the USS Nathan James after a deadly virus wipes out 80 percent of the world’s population. The show combines military conflict and political intrigue with family drama and some romance. Audiences responded positively. The current season draws an average 7.1 million viewers to each episode across all platforms (TV, DVR, VOD, Streaming). It continues to grow in popularity as more people discover the early seasons and catch up.

While the next two seasons will shoot back-to-back, there will be some behind the scenes changes. Creators Steven Kane and Hank Steinberg will stay on as executive producers and showrunners for Season 4. Steinberg won’t be a showrunner on Season 5. Kane will manage solo.There are no major cast changes reported.

The Last Ship Season 3 Promotional Image

The Last Ship stars Eric Dane, Adam Baldwin, and Bridget Regan. The Season 3 finale, which finds the crew fighting what’s left of the US government, is set to air Sunday, September 11.

Paul V. Rea
A monster science created but could not destroy; Paul V. Rea is a radio, TV and web journalist based in Clarkesville, Georgia. Paul is addicted to television of all genres and can often be found mouthing off about things he sees @paulvrea on Twitter.